- Controller of Budget reveals state spent Sh11.6B on local trips, Sh5.1B on foreign travel in 9 months
- The president’s office used Sh145M for local and Sh30M for foreign travel
- The Deputy President’s office spent Sh196M on domestic and Sh22M on foreign trips
- MPs and Senators together spent billions on travel
- Spending contradicts Ruto’s austerity promises after Gen Z protests
Despite public promises by President William Ruto to slash government spending, new data now shows that over Sh1 billion was spent on local travel by state officials in just nine months.
This is according to the Budget Implementation Review Report by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, which reviewed the period from July 2024 to March 2025.
Government spending during the period hit Sh1.2 trillion, equivalent to 70% of the year’s total budget. Travel costs alone were notable: Sh11.6 billion was used for local travel, Sh5.1 billion went to foreign trips
State House reportedly spent Sh145 million on internal travel and Sh30 million abroad. The Deputy President’s office used an even higher Sh196 million locally and Sh22 million internationally.
The report further shows that Members of Parliament spent Sh3.3 billion on local trips, Sh1.01 billion on foreign travel
Senators weren’t far behind, using: Sh902 million for domestic travel, Sh438 million for overseas trips
These revelations are already stirring public anger, especially after Ruto’s austerity measures announced in July 2024, which came days after the Gen Z-led protests.
The president had vowed to stop unnecessary spending and curb travel allowances. However, the new figures suggest that the cost-cutting efforts have not been fully enforced.
Many now question whether the state is truly committed to rebuilding public trust and honouring its financial reforms.
